April 28, 2010
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - It was a record-setting afternoon for the Boilermaker softball team, as Purdue snagged a school single-game record 12 stolen bases and junior pitcher Suzie Rzegocki tied the single-season strikeouts record with her 196th of the year.
The steals tally surpasses the previous mark of nine set by the Boilermakers on March 10, 2006, against Villanova, ranks as the ninth-most in Division I history, and boosts Purdue's single-season record steal total to 126. The sixth-inning K ties Rzegocki with Diana LaRiva's punch out tally from the 2004 season.
"It is great for our program to get these records, but we would always trade them for more wins for the team," head coach Kim Maher said. "That being said, it is nice for our student-athletes to be able to get on base and put pressure on the defense. That is Purdue softball; we like to put pressure on the defense and today just goes to show that it isn't just two players on our team that are able to steal and do that.
"For Suzie, to tie the season record for strikeouts is huge. It just goes to show what a talented young pitcher she is and, for her to do it today when she wasn't feeling 100 percent, is a real tribute to her."
Not to be lost in the game was freshman Kristen Allen's single-game record tying three stolen bases, which marked the sixth time this season a Purdue player had swiped three bags and the 17th time in school lore.
The Boilermakers managed 12 runs on nine hits and three MSU miscues, while allowing the Spartans two runs on nine hits. Sophomore Molly Garst went 3-for-3 with two runs, an RBI and one steal, while six other Purdue players managed a hit and at least one steal. Seniors Liane Horiuchi and Ashley Barr each tallied two steals, while Rzegocki, senior Jenna Alexander, junior Shelby Krammer and freshman Erika Petruzzi swiped one bag apiece.
Petruzzi (4-3) struck out one batter in five and two thirds innings of work, while Rzegocki picked up her third save of the year, entering the game with two on and just a two run lead in the sixth. The record-tying strikeout was enough to bail Purdue out of harm's way. Kelly Confer (4-10) was saddled with the loss for Michigan State, allowing three runs in two and a third innings. Lauren Kramer and Rebecca Rogers also saw time in the circle for the Spartans.
Michigan State scored quickly as Lindsey Hansen lifted a one-out home run to left field in the opening stanza.
The Boilermakers got the run back and tacked on a second on two hits and an error in the bottom of the inning. Garst led off with a single up the middle, swiped second and went to third on a perfectly placed bunt single by Rzegocki. Alexander was hit by a pitch to fill the bases for freshman Ashley Courtney, who made good on the RBI opportunity with a tricky grounder to the gap between first and second. Courtney was out after a diving snag by the second baseman, but the Boilermakers were on the board. Purdue tacked on another run as the first baseman dropped the ball after the toss over from the shortstop, allowing Barr to reach and Rzegocki to sneak home.
Purdue made MSU pay for giving up a leadoff walk to Allen in the second. Allen swiped second and went to third on Garst's single through the left side. Garst was then caught in a run down between first and second, allowing Allen to scurry to the plate for the score.
The Spartans cut the deficit to one with a run on two hits in the third. A fielder's choice play canceled out a one-out single, but MSU plated the run on a two-out double to left by Jessica Bracamonte. A fly ball stranded Bracamonte at inning's end.
Courtney drew a one-walk walk in the third and went to second on a ground out, but Purdue could not manage a run.
MSU tried to squeak a run across in the fourth, but the Boilermaker defense held. Confer doubled down the left field line to start the inning and went to third on a ground out. The shortstop, Horiuchi, made a running play on a grounder toward second base and fired home to punch out Confer on the fielder's choice play and acquire the second out of the inning. A single followed, but a pop up stranded two runners.
Allen singled and scored again in the fourth. The rookie started the inning with a single to right center and swiped second. A fly ball pushed her to third, before a sacrifice fly to center by Garst drove her home.
MSU had runners at first and third with two outs in the sixth when Rzegocki took over in the circle. After a stolen base moved both runners in scoring position, the junior tied the single season strikeouts mark with her 196th, as Mary K. DiVirgilio fouled off a bunt attempt with two strikes to cap the inning.
Purdue rallied for six runs on five hits and two errors in the home half of the sixth to cap the 10-2 mercy-rule victory. Barr and Krammer started things off with a bunt single and a single to center field, prompting Lauren Kramer to take over in the circle for MSU. The pair promptly pulled off a double steal, setting the table for Allen, who reached on a fielder's choice as Barr crept past the tag at the plate. Allen stole second to put two in scoring position for Petruzzi, who picked up the RBI with a single up the middle. Petruzzi stole second, trying to draw a throw, which instead went to third base and sailed into left field, allowing Allen to score. A Garst single to right field put runners at the corners. Horiuchi then laid down a perfect bunt single on a squeeze play to drive Petruzzi home. Garst went to third on the play and Horiuchi moved up to second with another steal. A strikeout finally gave MSU an out in the inning, but it would not stop the bleeding. Alexander laid down a sacrifice squeeze bunt, catching the Spartans off guard, and Garst evaded a tag at the plate. Horiuchi went to third on the play setting up the final score. Alexander swiped second and the catcher's throw sailed into center field, allowing Horiuchi to trot home to wrap up the series sweep with a 10-2 run-rule victory.
The Boilermakers (24-24, 5-7 Big Ten) return to action at 2 p.m. ET Saturday when they take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Minneapolis. Both games of the series will be broadcast live on purduesports.com.